NPFL: 3SC fight back to deny Insurance

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By Abiodun Adewale.

Gbenga Ogunbote-led 3SC came back from two goals down in Ibadan to record a 2-2 draw against group leaders Bendel Insurance in one of the match-day seven games of the Nigeria Professional Football League on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Taofeek Malomo and Opeoluwa Olufemi rescued a point for the Oluyole Warriors after Osarenkhoe Imade and Ismael Sarki had put the visitors up.

The visitors stuck their nose in front immediately after kick off with the first chance of the game through talisman striker Imade, who benefited from a loose ball on the edge of the 3SC area. His strike was poorly handled by 3SC goalkeeper Okechukwu Johnson for his fifth goal of the season.

Imade then turned provider for his striking partner, Sarki in the 38th minute and the forward finished with aplomb from the right side of the box to double Bendel Insurance’s advantage.

The hosts, however, reduced the deficit two minutes before the break through Malomo’s poker inside the Insurance box.

3SC mounted more pressure after the restart, with coach Gbenga Ogunbote also responding with changes.

Their persistence paid off in the 65th minute as Olufemi found the bottom right corner of Amas Obasogie’s goal.

Despite the sustained pressure from the hosts, there was nothing more to separate both sides as Insurance walked away with a precious point on their second visit to Ibadan.

The Edo Arsenal remain unbeaten and top Group A of the abridged league with 17 points in seven games, while Shooting Stars remain sixth with nine points from the same number of matches.